Sanding device for locomotives.



W. H. WHITE.

SANDING DEVICE FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

'APPLICATION FILED MAY 4, 1917.

1,252,21L Patented Jan. 1,1918.

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lNveNTo W!TNESSES E6 ATTORN EY Patented Jan. 1,1918.

Z..SHEETSSHEET L W. H. WHITE.

SANDING DEVICE FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

APPLICATION. FILED MAY 4, 19H- INVENTOR if/1'02 ffW/ii/ZQ Z5 gy- ATTORNEY air 1 area,

WILLIAM H. WHITE, or ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR T WHITE-AMERICAN LOCO-MOTIVE SANDER, COMPANY, INC., or ROANOKE, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION orVIRGINIA.

SANDING DEVICE FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 4, 1917. Serial No. 166,401.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. WHITE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia,have invented new and useful Improvements in Sanding Devices forLocomotives, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is a sanding device for lo comotives of that general typeshown in my prior Patents No. 1,086,964,- dated Feb. 10, 1914, No.1,117,119, dated Nov. 10, 1914, No. 1,180,217, dated April 18, 1916, No.1,201,126, dated Oct. 10, 1916, and is more particularly directed toimproving the construction disclosed in my Patent No. 1,226,427, datedMay 15, 1917.

The construction shown in my Patent No. 1,226,12Z, dated May 15, 1917,discloses a sand trap having a sand channel comprising vertical andhorizontal portions, respectively, connected with the sand and deliverypipes, a blast nozzle projecting into the channel at the angle ofintersection of the vertical and horizontal portions, and clean outpipesdisposed respectively within the vertical branch of the channel and thesand supply pipe and within the delivery pipe, so that the blasts of airmay be supplied to prevent choking of the supply and delivery pipes orany undue accumulation of the sand therein.

I have also disclosed air supplying connections for the feeding of airto the clean out pipes from a common sourceJof-supply designed toovercome certain objections in my former patents, and the form disclosedin my allowed application is such that the connection is a duct formedinthe body of the sand trap above the horizontal sand channel andextending vertically into the vertical portion of the sand pipe.

To overcome the objections that have been found from practicalexperience toreside in the former constructions, the. present invenftion has for one of its objects to provide the. delivery end of thehorizontal portion with' two threaded outlets of the same diameter, toeither one of which may be connected the sand delivery pipe therebyforming a sand trap body that may "beutilized upon all types oflocomotives regardless of their exterior parts,-and closing the otherchannel outlet with a plug to the end that the body may. be unitary withthe Y connection so ing the outlets so that they will lie in position topermit the air to blow through the sand outlets in an axial direction toclear the one in use should it be obstructed.

A still further object is to provide the lower side of the horizontalportion of the sand trap with a swelled portion adjacent one branch ofthe Y to serve as a barrier to prevent the sand from moving to thatbranch except as impelled by the air blast.

One purpose of the invention is to provide a construction andarrangement of the clean out pipes, duct, and connections, which permitsthem to be more conveniently arranged to more eficiently perform theirseveral functions.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a construction wherebythe clean out air duct and clean out pipes will be disposed entirelyabove the line of the sand channel, thus enabling the air supplyingconnections thereto to be placed at a point above the sand trap whenconvenient and also enabling the upper Wall of the channel to be made ofair blasts and'thus increase the durability of the trap. 7

A further purpose is to provide a sand trap and its connections as aunitary structure that will embody strength, ease of con-- nection, andone that will be cheap to manufacture. U i

The invention, broadly stated, comprises a sand trap having a bodyportion formed with vertical and horizontal channels terminating inoutlets and inlets, a clean out duct ion-med in' the upper wall of thehorizontal channel and adapted to extendv past the intersection of thetwo chanels in a vertical direction. and have connected thereto a cleanout pipe provided with suitable downwardly directed apertures, whichpipe is disposed within the sand supply pipe, the clean out duct beingprovided with two outlets, one of which is angularly positioned With"reference to the axis, said outlets being threaded and adapted to beclosed by a plug that may be inserted into either one if desired, thehorizontal channel being formed to have two outlets which comprise aYshaped connection formed integrally with the body of the sand trap,said outlets being threaded and adapted to be closed by a plug, whichmay be inserted into either one, respectively, and means to supply airto the clean out duct for the purpose of blowing the sand through thedelivery outlets, the threaded outlets of the air duct being sopositioned that they will permit the air to be blown therethrough andthrough the delivery outlets in an axial direction so as to clear thedelivery outlets of any sand or other obstructions.

One practical form of the invention will be described and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary sideelevation of a locomotive showing the application of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the sand trap detached;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same;

Fig. 1 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 3. p

In the preferred embodiment of my improved trap, the body is preferablyL-shaped and is provided with. a vertical or inlet por tion 2, and alateral or horizontal portion 3. The vertical portion 2 connects withthe end of a sand supply pipe l, which leads from the sand box 5. Thehorizontal portion 3 connects with a delivery or sanding pipe 6, throughwhich the sand is conducted to the track.

The body 1 is interiorly and longitudinally cored to produce a sandchannel 7, which extends Vertically into the vertical portion 2 and intothe horizontal portion 3, the vertical branch being directly connectedwith the sand supply pipe 4 to receive the sand therefrom, and thehorizontal branch being directly connected with the sand delivery pipefor the discharge of the sand in the sanding action to the track.

Arranged at the point of intersection of the vertical and horizontalbranches of the sand channel is a blast nozzle 8, through whichcompressed air is supplied to discharge the sand through the horizontalbranch of the channel and into the delivery pipe. This nozzle 8 may be,and preferably is, of one of the forms disclosed in my allowedapplication referred to, but may be of any other suitable construction.

Extending longitudinally within the vertical branch 2 of the sandchannel 7 and throughout the length of the sand supply pipe 1 is a blasttube or duct 9 which is closed at its upper end. This tube is providedat points throughout its length with openings.

perforations or jet apertures 10, through which jets of compressed airare injected into the supply pipe and vertical branch of the channel forthe purpose of producing a blast to prevent the clogging or undueaccumulation of sand within the pipe or channel. As shown, theseperforations are angularly positioned so that the air is directeddownward toward the horizontal channel, and they are adapted by thisangular position to produce a swirling action, and thus more easilyclear the vertical portion of any undue accumulation. To further assistin producing this function, the perforations are spirally arranged sothat the normal movement of the sand through the horizontal branch isaided.

Extending longitudinally from the delivery end of the horizontal portionof the sand channel and terminatingadjacent the sand delivery pipe 6, isan auxiliary blast tube or duct 11. This tube 11 is adapted to connectby means of a curved end indicated at 12 with the blast tube or duct 9.

To permit compressed air to be admitted to the tube 11 and its curvedend 12, a compressed air pipe 13 may be secured thereto, which isadapted to be connected to a source of compressed air.

The tube 11 is provided in a longitudinal direction with an outlethaving threads formed therein, and to cooperate with this threaded endis a plug 14:. The tube 11 by means of its position lying in ahorizontal direction within the horizontal portion of the channel 7serves to direct a b ast of air for cleaning purposes into the deliverypipe 6 when it has been connected to the outlet end indicated at 15.This outlet end is provided with suitable threads and to engage withthese threads and close the opening a plug 16 is further provided.

The blast tube 11 is provided also with a threaded hole indicated at 17which is angularly disposed with the longitudinal axis of the tube 11 sothat air may pass through this opening 17 and be directed into thedelivery pipe 6 in an axial direction. The plug 14 is adapted to beinserted within the threaded opening 17, as the two openings are of thesame size, and, therefore, the plug will be interchangeable with eitherof these Connecting with the lower side of the horizontal portion 3 isan outlet end indicated at 18, which is adapted to be connected with asupply pipe 6. This end is threaded, and preferably has the same sizedthreaded opening as the one into which the plug 16 is now placed. Thusthe plug 16 may be employed to repose in either one of the two openings,and the supply pipe 6 may be connected also with either one of theseopenings.

As the end 18 projects at an angle through the horizontal portion 3, a Yis formed which hetaeii permits the delivery pipe be attached withoutinterference with the appurtenances that may be'mounted upon theexterior of the locomotive. The "Y is thus shown as being formed inte mlwith the trap.

Formed upon t e lower wall of the horizontal portion 3 adjacent theangle formed by the end 18 therewith is an enlarged or swelled portionindicated at 19. The angle formed in the wall is thus thickened, and abarrier or trap is produced which tends to prevent the sand from passinginto the de livery tube 6 by its own weight or by the vibrations of thelocomotive. The blast nozzle 8 is provided with a threaded end which isadapted to be screwed into the nipple 20. The nipple 20 is provided witha bore indicated at 21, through the longi tudinal axis of the nipple andconnecting with this bore 21 is -a hemispherical chamber 23. Extendingfrom the chamber- 23 is a threaded hole which is adapted, to. cooperatewith another nipple indicated at 24.

The nipple 24 is provided with a flat end through which pass holes 25,angularly disposed so as to d1rect the air against the wall of thechamber 23 to expand therein. The nipple 24 is also provided with a bore26, and to connect this bore and the nipple 24 is a pipe 27 whichconnects with a suitable source of compressed air.

To varythe movement of the nipples 20 and 24, a'lock nut 28 is provided,and after the nozzle has been moved in or out to determine its properposition, the nipples and the nozzle may be locked in firm engagementwith the sand trap body, which has the flat shoulder formed thereon tocontact with this lock nut 28.

Disposed above the opening for the nozzle 8 and in the vertical portionisa threaded hole which is adapted to be closed by means of the plug 29.This plug 29 will permit entrance into the vertical portion for anyother additional cleaning that may be necessary. Where the sand deliverypipe 4 is screwed into the vertical portion 2, the end of the verticalportion is formed as a hexagon, as indicated at 30.

The pipe 13, which is adapted to communicate with the blast tube '11 andits curved portion 12, is provided with a threaded end to cooperate withsuitable threads which are formed in the boss 31, which is disposed uponthe upper side of the horizontal portion 3. The outlet ends 15 and 18are also formed as hexagons.

When. the sand supply pipe 4 is connected to a suitable source, and thesand is permitted to enter this pipe, it passes downward, substantiallyfilling the vertical portion 2 until its outer end rests against thebarrier 19. As shown, thedelivery pipe 6 is connected to the outlet end18, and when it is desired to sand the track through this outlet end,compressed air is admitted to the nozzle 8, which drives the sand infront of and then up against the end of the plug 16, where the air andsand are thoroughly mixed and driven outward through the delivery pipe 6to the track.

pressed air leaving the nozzle 8 directs the sand-and air through theoutlet end 15 into a the delivery pipe'6. At this time the plug 14 hasbeen withdrawn from the end of the clean out tube 11 and inserted intothe outlet 17. When it is desired to perform a clean out operation withthe plug in this position, the air is directed through this opening atthe end of the blast tube 11.

. What is claimed as new is 1. A sand trap having a horizontal portionand a vertical portion, said horizontal portion being provided with aY-shaped end having threaded outlets, a plug adapted to engage with andclose one of the outlets when not in use, a duct extendinglongitudinally of the trap in the upper wall of said horizontal portionand partially into said vertical portion, blast elements connected withthe opposite ends of said duct, andian air supply conductor leading intothe duct between said blast devices.

2. A sand trap having a horizontal portion with a Y-shaped outlet endand a vertical portion, the upper wall of the horizontal portionbeingprovided with a longitudinally extending duct, said dlict beingprovided with threaded outlets adapted to direct air to the outlets ofthe Y, a blast pipe arranged within the'vertical portion of the trap andcommunicating at its lower end with said duct, a blast device projectinghorizontally beyond the delivery end of the horizontal portion of thetrap and communi eating at its inner end with said duct and an airsupply conductor communicating with said duct between said blastdevices:

3. A sand trap comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portionhaving a Y outlet end for connection with a delivery pipe, a plugadapted to be inserted into either one of the branches of the Y, a blastnozzle projecting into the trap at the angle of intersection of saidportions, the upper wall'bf the horizontal portion being provided with alongitudinally extending duct that projects into the vertical portion,the

horizontal part of said duct being provided with threaded outlets, eachof which is adapted to be closed by a plug, one of said outlets beingangularly positioned with reference to the bore of the duct to serve asa -blast outlet, a blast device for the projecting end of the ductdisposed withinthe vertical portion of the trap, a second blast deviceprojecting into the horizontal portion serving to direct the air to oneof the outlets of the Y, and means to connect the blast devices with asource of compressed air.

4. A sand trap comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, aplurality of threaded delivery outlets for the horizontal portionproducing a Y-shaped end and a unitary structure with. the trap, a screwplug adapted to cooperate with either one of the outlets, saidhorizontal portion being provided on its lower wall with a swelled partadjacent the angle formed by one of the branches of the Y With saidportion serving as a barrier for the sand, and means disposed in theupper Wall of the horizontal t am portion to direct compressed air in aline With the axis of the branch extending from the lower Wall of the Y.

5. A sand trap comprising a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, aduct formed in the upper Wall of the horizontal portion curving upwardlyand terminating in the vertical portion, the horizontal portion of saidduct being provided with threaded outlets, a plurality of threadeddelivery outlets formed in the end of the horizontal portion adjacentthe threaded outlets of the duct, a delivery pipe adapted to beconnected with either one of the delivery outlets, means to close theduct outlet adjacent the unused delivery outlet, and means to feed fluidunder pressure to the interior of the trap and to the duct.

In testimony whereof I attix my signature.

WILLIAM H. WHITE.

